Love & War 4

Chapter 28: Deadly Allies Pt. 2

"The Shokan and their Oni allies have torn Z'unkahrah apart. Under proud Kintaro's command they will never surrender. By tonight, Kotal Kahn will be dead." Mileena was overseeing the chaos the whole time. "And our Outworld empress can be restored. Then, Rain, all the sacrifices we've made in war will be..."

"Empress..."

"Who dares interrupts us?"

"We have urgent news from Z'ukarhrah."

"Ermac... Is Kotal Kahn's head on a spike yet?"

"No. Not only does Kotal Kahn live, he will be victorious. He has enlisted the Black Dragon, whose Earthrealm weapons decimate the Shokan horde."

Mileena was livid. "We should mount an attack while Kotal's forces are exhausted from battle. Where is Reiko and the Red Dragon?'

"Still not returned from Shang Tsung's island."

"Summon them then. it is time for Reiko to make good on the many promises to me.

Rain, or what's left of him, woke up.

"Where am I?'

"After Kotal scorched you, the Red Dragon salvaged your body and brought you here in my keep in the Setian Valley."

"Where... where is Reiko?"

"Away..."

"Empress... Reiko means to betray you."

"What do you know?"

"When the Red Dragon brought me here, I overheard them talking. Reiko is loyal to another, Havik..."

"Havik, the "spiritual advisor." Reiko told me this cleric's sorcery was strengthening our cause. I am not so spiritual. But I trusted Reiko's judgment."

"He deceived us all, empress."

"Can none of the thousands of soul that dwell within you reveal Havik's true nature?"

"The mere thoughts of his name stirs confusion within us. Chaos. He is an enigma."

"First, Kotal, Tanya and now Reiko. This is why they call me paranoid. Ermac, gather the Tarkatans. We're paying a visit to Shang Tsung's island."

Back on the battlefield, Kintaro was defeated thanks to Kano's atomic bomb.

"General Kintaro, your uprising ends now. Do you surrender?"

"The Shokan... never surrender."

"I knew you'd say that."

"Grant me the dignity you denied Goro."

But Kotal did not.

"Why do you insist on denigrating..."

"The Shokan were not my enemy until Goro contracted Reiko and Mileena. I always admired the strength of your people."

Kotal makes an annoucement: "Hear me, Shokan warriors! Mileena and Reiko are the enemies we share. Why kill each other for the good of our common foe? We should join forces and kill them together. I will never ask your commander to surrender. I only ask that you fight."

With that, Kintaro was convinced and was awarded with a firm handshake by Kotal.

"That was quite an diplomacy out there," said Kano, impressed of Kotal's negotiation skills. "We'll see how long that lasts. But hey, they rise up again, you'll be prepared, right? Thanks to your pals, the Black Dragon. I assume you'll pay the usual gold, right?"

"What price do you ask?"

"How much you got?"

"For you, none. You owe me a debt, Kano, for endangering my strategic alliance with Earthrealm."

"Ya meen kidnapping Sonya's brat? Erron Black scheme, not mine. I fired some big fucking guns for you. Nukes don't come cheap."

"Neither do second chances. I owe you nothing."

"Guess not, especially if you don't want your portal stone back." Son of a bitch! "She's a beauty, eh?"

"The portal stone is not yours to ransom!"

Kotal punched Kano in the face and has him in a armlock.

Tremor was about to bring the house down... literally, until Sonya shot him.

"Geez, Kotal, with friend like these."

Johnny, Tanya and Chris were with her.

"The Black Dragon are not my friends. They owed me a debt, and it's been paid. D'Vorah, Please show Kano and his clan to secure quarters, in the dungeon."

"Hope ya daughter, Chris! Be a shame if a sweet chocolate candy bar like her be shot by me!"

"You bastard!" Chris was going to charge toward him, but Tanya stopped him.

"No, Chris," she said. "You will face him again in due time. Not right now."

He calmed down. "Sorry, Tanya."

"Are you going to execute them?" asked Sonya.

"No. Kano must answer for his crimes beyond my empire. I plan to bring him to a proper authority... you."

"Thank you, emperor, but first, we need to find the girls."

"Chris, I did not realize you have a daughter as well."

"Adoptive daughter. I cannot procreate. It was the only option I had. Jade and I were grateful to raise her."

"As I understand it, she is military as well?"

"Well-trained."

"I'd like to see her get the same training Cassie got."

"Negative."

"What?"

"Your blatant disregard for your family leads me to believe you would treat Melody just like you did Cassie. You became too obsessed with your responsibilities that drove you two to divorce in the first place. Melody received training from my Warriors, and like you, Sonya Blade, she has a strong sense of justice. She would not tolerate being instigated like a child. As a adoptive father, it was my responsibility to keep her safe as any good parent would do, not subjugate her. If you truly love your daughter, Sonya, at least show her that you do. You pushed her away long enough. I've known you for a long time and I've always admired your spirit, Sonya, but if you continue to push your family away, what do you have left?"

Sonya was speechless.

"Exactly. You'll be alone, like me. Now, let's get our girls back. We've wasted too much time."

At the docks...

"I have prepared the ship for Shang Tsung's island. We sail tonight."

"We?" asked Johnny."I didn't think you coming."

Reiko and the Red Dragons are deadly allies. Defeating them requires an alliance of our own. Agreed?"

"For once, we do," said Sonya, still stunned over Chris' epiphany to her about Melody.

At the Honan Province of China...

"Liu Kang was a legend," said Takeda.

"Yes, in his first tournament where he defeated Shang Tsung," said Hanzo.

"You fought him?"

"It was not a traditional match."

"Liu Kang must have been a badass."

"Master Hasashi, is that you?" Hanzo recognized that voice

"Master Shujinko."

"Welcome to the Kang Temple. I understand you came here at Lord Raiden's request. Unfortunately, we cannot give you the Kamidogu of Chaos you seek."

"Why? The Kamidogu are corrupted, Shujinko. A mere student possessed by one massacred our clan and almost killed me. Imagine that power falling into the wrong hands."

"Exactly why I cannot give you the dagger we hold. The Kamidogu have already fallen into the hands, Raiden's. You cannot trust him. I did not know of this until I was offered proof... by this humble cleric. Please meet Havik."

"Ah, Grandmaster Hasashi, and Takeda, son of Kenshi. Long have I waited to meet you... in the flesh!"